ADESSA.After dinner, I was given time to rest before I was informed there was a cocktail party in one of the pavilions—a welcome celebration for the participants of the Royal Games and I would be attending. While they were dressing me up, I voiced some complaints about the lack of advance notice. Of course, I was excited. Anything that would let me see and talk to Kael was always something I looked forward to. So I was glad this was a cocktail party setting and not some formal dinner or such.I was presented with many dresses, and I finally chose the color red. This was the first time I would be wearing one as I always thought this color was too bold, and I always felt unworthy to wear it. But not anymore.Aside from wanting to look good in front of my husband, I want the others to see me as a strong female, and if they think they could use me for the title I hold, then they need to think twice. I was so excited for tonight, but then someone came to my room and briefed me on the eve
KAEL. I thought Adessa’s brothers would corner me, but it didn’t happen. In fact, I was ignored the whole time. Their attention was drawn to Prince Vaidas, so I could already tell they wanted him for her.But I didn’t give a fuck, because that whole time they were rubbing elbows with him, Adessa’s attention was only on me. I couldn’t count the number of times we smiled at each other and shared a toast of our drinks despite the distance. I felt like a teenager flirting with a girl behind her parent’s back. I knew my reality was more serious and too far from the simple life I was imagining. But instead of sulking, I reveled on this night, taking one step at a time and creating memories with her since I still couldn’t remember if we ever had moments of flirting like this. “Landon,” I called his attention as he was talking with some women. Yes, aside from the unlimited drinks and the loud music, there were also women who came and started taking our attention. I didn’t entertain anyone
KAEL.“A simple game of chance…” I murmured, repeating the words of the host.I listened as the task was given, and even after we were asked to begin, I remained in my place, staring at the counter in front of me. The challenge was to fix a cocktail drink for the princess, and whoever owned the drink she chose would get a chance to have breakfast with her. Simple as fuck, right? Well, it wasn’t. Because I had no fucking idea which drinks she liked. “How the fuck will we win this when her ex-husband is here? He obviously knows what she wants!” Alpha Randolf blurted it out, and I could hear the others agreeing. “Instead of complaining about something you cannot change, why don’t you move forward and do the task given and give it your best shot?” Prince Vaidas spoke with a calm demeanor before he walked over to the main bar, followed by his second in command.“At least there’s one person in here who still has the right frame of mind,” Landon said in a hushed tone.I had no idea if I
KAEL.I moved on to the green drink—the one for Adessa. Like the first two, I just let my hands move on their own while praying to Selene that I would not lose my concentration and momentum. I didn’t care anymore if someone was watching me. I hoped the first two drinks would be enough to confuse them if I actually knew what Adessa’s favorite drink was. Gratefully, my hands kept moving as if they knew what they were doing. My mind was telling me different measurements, but it seemed my hands knew and had their own calculations on how I should prepare and handle this drink. Also, I initially thought I would use a martini glass for it, but I subconsciously picked up the coupe one. I strained the mixed drink from the shaker and poured it into the glass. There were three cocktail drinks in front of me, and Landon was beaming as if we had already won. I was leaning on the counter, my fingers tapping on the marbled top, as I stared at what I had prepared before my eyes caught sight of a
KAEL.Watching Adessa take Prince Vaidas’ drink was painful, but seeing her choose all other drinks but not mine after his, was even more torturous. The one I made didn’t even catch her eye. She chose the Mango Daiquiris after the Prince, and it was only then that I regretted using it as a decoy.What if when I was still in agony over losing Desiree, I had made her that drink and she ended up loving it? Then I just pushed her into Draco’s arms. If this were the case, I prayed to Selene that she would pick the other one who prepared the same drink. Any others would be better than Draco.I couldn’t focus anymore. She was smiling and talking with her brothers about whatever drinks she had in her hands, which made the waiting even longer.After what felt like an eternity, she finally picked up my drink—third to the last. Like the others, she turned to face us and raised the glass in our direction. There was nothing special in her eyes, unlike when she raised the first three cocktails an
ADESSA.“Alpha Kael won tonight,” Esmaeel said in a flat tone.A gasp left my throat as I jolted, excitement coursing through my whole body, knowing I would get a moment with him.The King grabbed the paper from the butler with a dark expression. After he returned the paper, he dismissed him and the other servers. He then guided me away, almost to the door, and I could see my brothers and sisters-in-law looking at us.“Now, tell me, Adessa, that Kael has lost his memory? That he couldn’t remember you.” His voice was accusatory. I would have ignored it because the important thing was Kael won. But a part of me didn’t want the others to think Kael was just putting on a show, so I didn’t stop myself from replying, especially since no one else was inside this room except our family. “I’m sure Kael didn’t remember this. But his Beta does. He has a great second in command, Father. He was very attentive to his Alpha and Luna. So if you think Kael is the only problem for Prince Vaidas, whom
ADESSA.Kael and his Beta were already waiting for us when we arrived at the Spring Manor. I didn’t know Landon would be joining, but he was the least of my worries. “You need to control that smile on your face,” Esriel told me as he guided my arm to wrap around his before patting my hand. We followed the host toward the dining hall while Danielle trailed behind us. “Everyone here could tell you’re more excited than the participant.”“But I am,” I said giddily.“You need to learn to act with no emotions. Not too happy, not too sad. Just enough.” He whispered, and I playfully rolled my eyes. We passed by the line of servers, and there was only a female with them. The moment she bowed down and curtsied before me, I smiled at her and acknowledged her cheerfully,“I like your hair.”She was caught off guard, and a red tint crept into her cheeks before she smiled widely at me. “Thank you, Princess Adessa.” She mumbled in reply.“You are indeed a stubborn one,” Esriel said, chuckling soft
ADESSA.“Can you move his chair to my right?” I asked. “My lady, the instruction was to have both of you sit at the ends of the table.” The main server, a soft-spoken older man, replied.“I understand that. But I am also instructing you to move his chair nearer. I cannot, for the life of me, speak loudly. I don’t want to shout just to keep a conversation going.” I smiled bashfully at him. “Yes, of course, my lady.” He then instructed his companion to comply. I was glad he didn’t question my request anymore. Kael smiled broadly as he took his seat on the right side of the table, and soon, they proceeded to serve us. I glanced at Danielle and saw her sitting at a round table with Landon. My brother was nowhere in sight.“Where is Prince Esriel?” I asked the main server. “He stepped out, but he left four guards by the door and instructed them that no one is allowed to go in and out, including you, my lady.”“I see…” I didn’t ask anymore. Once they left us. Kael reached for my hand, a
ADESSA.“Desiree quit her job because she came back. I was giving her money for her apartment and for everything her child needed. Without me, she had no way to work and take care of her child at the same time…”Miranda was still talking, but nothing was sinking in except the part where Desiree had a child. I didn’t even question that she was Desiree’s mother because all I heard was about the child. “Is it Kael’s son?” I asked, unaware that I had already reached out to hold Esmaeel’s arm for support. My brother held me, supporting my body so I could remain standing.“No, no, no…” She said as she shook her head. “It’s not his son.”“Don’t lie to me.”“Desiree has a child from another man whose name I don’t even know. The same man that Kael caught her in bed with.” My hand went to my mouth, suppressing myself from gasping. Rasmus. Desiree had a child with Rasmus. “I’m not lying, Adessa… You can ask me anything now, and I will tell you the truth in exchange for my freedom. Please le
ADESSA.I had no idea there was a Beta task that happened last night. I couldn’t believe Draco won this part, and I had to see him for breakfast. But if anything, at least I wouldn’t be dining with him alone. I was told the whole family would, so I didn’t need to coerce myself to talk with him. I hadn’t forgiven him for all this mess, and I never thought I would. I was also only informed last night that the current task would last for three days, and we would never hear from the participants unless they got out and finished the challenge. I kept bugging Esriel about what task lay ahead, but this time, he kept his mouth shut and avoided me, which made me worry more.I woke up early despite not being able to sleep at all, because aside from breakfast, I was finally meeting Miranda. She was captured a few days back, and Father wanted me to face her.As much as I would rather not deal with her, I had to. I also wanted my father to find out that she sold me to Draco as a slave. But if I
KAEL. I was still trying to digest the information I witnessed when another surprise was presented.After the crowd toned down from greeting and celebrating with the Royal couple, the Game Master stood before us in the middle of the arena—with more breaking news. “The fourth task had already begun last night from the moment you stepped back into the manor. The food you ate and the drink you consumed were illusions, so if you thought that food was enough and skipped meals the whole day, then you are already at a disadvantage. You will feel the hunger later on.”I swallowed—grateful that I didn’t consume a lot last night and that I went to the kitchen and asked for food when I woke up today. “And the naked women you found in your rooms last night…” He added, and I immediately saw Adessa shift in her seat.She looked mortified. She had no idea about the women.“...were not who they seemed to be.” The Game Master continued. “ You met our first creatures. The faeries of the Eternal Fore
KAEL. Before I could think more, the speaker already announced our entrance. Draco walked ahead of us while the rest were in a straight line behind him. “Where is Randolf?” I heard Constantin ask as we walked, and when I tilted my head to the right, as I was the first on the left, I counted only three: Vaidas, Constantin, and Nicholas.I didn’t notice he was not there as we all left the manor in our own cars with just our Betas. And I didn’t notice him. In fact, I hadn’t seen him the whole day. “I’m sure they will tell us soon,” Nicholas said, and no one discussed it until we stopped in front of the stage. Everything went fast after that. Draco was congratulated for winning the last task and was asked to join them on the stage. I was right, he was to sit next to Adessa. I made every effort to remain unaffected. This was what they wanted, not what she wanted. I would not let it destroy my confidence and focus for the next game. I would use this as my motivation to win this round
KAEL.As soon as the Game Master dismissed us, Landon and I headed back to our room. The rest did as well, except for Draco and Roman, who headed toward the open bar of this manor. Of course, they had no task to think about and wanted to celebrate.I couldn’t be happy for them, not only because I loathed the man but also because Landon told me he was cheated, maybe not by Roman but by the game itself. “Tell me what happened,” I said after I heard the door lock while I leaned on the windowsill, looking at the garden below. I heard him let out a deep sigh before he began talking while I remained in my position. “The game wasn’t hard. It was all about how well you know your Alpha. From the first car to the age you shifted and the many names connected to you to the farthest place you’d been. Roman and I were both doing well. We were acing all the questions, and Beta Samuel was just right behind us. Then the fucking final question came, and I was so confident about my answer.” I could h
KAEL. I left the French balcony door slightly open, letting the crisp air in while I lay awake in bed. Sleep would surely not come tonight. Not when I had no idea what was going on with my Beta. The balcony of our room faced southward, toward the forest, but I could see part of the driveway from here. When it was too quiet, like tonight, I was sure I would hear if there were any commotion going on.After a long while, I could feel my eyes drooping, and just when I was about to lose consciousness, the sound of an approaching vehicle reached my ears. I immediately jolted up from my bed and checked the balcony. I saw a light getting closer. It must be them. I went back inside to grab a shirt and put it on. I already had my sweatpants on, so I went ahead and rushed out of my bedroom. Like the scene earlier, I was not the only one in the corridor. The other Alphas were also heading downstairs. No words were spoken between us as we hurriedly trod the way down. I could only assume they we
KAEL. We were the first to arrive and were asked to surrender our treasures. It didn’t take long before a vehicle came, and the challenger team, led by Alpha Randolf, stepped out. And with the smirk plastered on his face, I could tell they were able to snag a treasure. I thought we were waiting for the rest or at least one more team, but the Game Master told us everyone who was supposed to be here was already here and requested Randolf to surrender the treasure they got. They didn’t get just one treasure; they got six. All six treasures of the two teams. I was certain they found the obsidian necklace and Liam’s team still tied up. It was the only explanation for their treasures, but it seemed they also wiped out Alpha Leon’s.I couldn’t believe it, as I thought Leon’s team was stronger than them, but maybe I just didn’t know their full strength. In the end, the twelve became six in an instant. But it didn’t matter to me. In fact, I was grateful. The fewer the contenders, the faste
KAEL.When I turned to Draco, the necklace was not around his neck anymore. Gunner was gripping it tightly, but before I could do anything to help him, Draco shifted, ripping his clothes apart and landing exactly on top of Gunner. I shifted back into my human form and grabbed the necklace from Gunner’s hand while Draco still had his teeth on the side of his shoulder, near his throat. One wrong move, and Draco could snap the vein on his neck, so the fucker stayed paralyzed under his hold. Vaidas, on the other hand, was already dragging forest vines. I helped him, and it didn’t take long before we were able to tie the three of them together under the tree with their hands bound as well. We were about to leave them when Draco returned and took Gunner’s treasure from his pocket. They lied—no one stole his treasure. “You started this game. It’s only fair we play along…” He tossed the ring in the air before catching it, clutching it tightly in his hand and smirking at them. “I don’t thi
KAEL. Deciding what to do with the cloak was making me uneasy. If I were Superman, this would be easy to handle, but how the fuck do I move and kick ass with this thing around me? I could take it off, but I didn’t have the luxury of time to work on the fucking zipper to take out the citrine. And I had nowhere to hide it. They were coming closer. “No matter what happens, we can’t trust anyone. Except for the three of us.” I told them. It was hard to let those words pass my throat because Draco was part of the team, but at this point, with all our fates in this game entwined, it was all or nothing. The sounds of leaves rustling and twigs snapping at the other side of the trees became louder, and the three of us moved into position, ready to leap and attack. But when the faint light beaming from the canopy of the trees as the moon and sun shared the dawn fell on the forms that emerged from the bushes, I heard the sighs of relief from the two men with me.It was Alpha Liam with his tea